Sterling, Illinois Obituaries

Feb 19, 2014

Jessie Smith, 91, of Sterling, died peacefully at his home, Wednesday, February 19, 2014. Mr. Smith was employed at Northwestern Steel and Wire Company until his retirement in 1983, after 35 years, he also was owner and operator of Bargain Exterminators for 24 years. Jessie served in the United States Army during World War II. Jessie was born on...

Feb 14, 2014

Isaac D. Lair, 40, of Sterling, died Friday, February 14, 2014. Isaac was born September 2, 1973, in Sterling, to Douglas and Candice (Lawson) Lair. Survivors include his parents Candice Lair of Rock Falls and Douglas (Greta) Lair of Nova Scotia; grandmother, Elaine Sills; one daughter, Jillienne, of Dixon; one son, Harrison Lair, his loving partner Melissa Kinnaman, of...

Feb 12, 2014

STERLING- Evadell Johnson, 79, died Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, surrounded by her family. She was employed by Illinois Bell as a Telephone Operator, and later at Sears catalog store in Sterling. Mrs. Johnson was born May 5, 1934, in Xenia, IL to Lewis and Lura (Bales) Fulton. She married Harold F. Johnson on...

Feb 5, 2014

STERLING- Lucas M. Stage, 38, of Sterling, died, Wednesday, February 5, 2014. He was employed as a Roofer by Terry Papoccia Construction. Lucas was born August 13, 1975 in Sterling to Cal Stage Sr. and Barbara (Eugene) Harms. Survivors include two sons, Colton and Caden Stage, Sterling; one sister, Tina Dahlberg of Sterling; one brother, Cal (Amber) Stage of...

Feb 1, 2014

James E. Warren, 87, of Sterling, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2014, at his home. He was employed by Parrish Alford as a Fork Lift Operator prior to retiring in 1985 with 35 years of service. Mr. Warren was born November 1, 1926 in Adona, Arkansas, to Jess and Joanna (Abston) Warren. James was a World War II Veteran....

Jan 27, 2014

Richard D. Clifton, 78, of Sterling, died peacefully at home, January 27, 2014. He served three years in the U.S. Army and was employed at National Mfg Co. in Sterling, as a Grinder Operator before retiring in 2000. Mr. Clifton was born March 1, 1935 to Warren and Dorothy (Owens) Clifton. He graduated in 1953 from Rock Falls High...

Jan 23, 2014

Frank William Merlak, Jr., 67, of Sterling passed away, Thursday, January 23, 2014, after a long illness. He was born in Savanna, to Frank and Doris (Hawkins) Merlak on September 15, 1946. Frank graduated from Milledgeville High School in 1964. He married Vicki Reed on December 4, 1965. Frank had been a self-employed carpenter, farmer, and restaurant owner (Frankie's...

Jan 19, 2014

IRENE J. SCHNEIDER STERLING- Irene J. Schneider, 89, died Sunday, January 19, 2014. She was employed at Lawrence Bros. as a laborer. Irene was born June 7, 1924 in Sterling, to Ralph and Mamie (Letcher) Schneider. Survivors include two sisters, Teresa VanDrew of Rock Falls, and Joyce (Al) Schwitters of Cedar Rapids IA; and many nieces and nephews. Irene...

Jan 16, 2014

JAMES H. WINK STERLING-James H. Wink, 89, died Thursday, January 16, 2014 at CGH Medical Center. He was a farmer in the Milledgeville area for forty years, retiring in 1988. Upon retirement, they moved to Rock Falls, and later to Parkway Center in Sterling. Jim was born February 4, 1924 in Sterling, the son of Julius August and Alma...

Jan 11, 2014

NANCY A.GEBHARDT STERLING- Nancy A. Gebhardt, died Saturday January 11, 2014 at CGH Medical Center. Nancy was born December 30, 1936 in Sterling, the daughter of Ralph and Olive (Wolf) Kosier. She married Ray Gebhardt on November 28, 1954 in Sterling, and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Nancy was a member of Y Wives, enjoyed sewing and crafts...

Jan 10, 2014

JEANETTE L. HURLEY STERLING- Jeanette L. Hurley, 87, died Friday, January 10, 2014 at her home. Jeanette was born January 2, 1927 in Clinton, IA, the daughter of Elmer and Naomi (Mush) Young. She married Richard Hurley on July 23, 1956 in Sterling. He preceded her in death on August 4, 2006. Survivors include three daughters, Ruth Ann (Jim)...

Jan 7, 2014

Alma R. (Cantu) Lilly, 63, died Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at her home. Alma R. Lilly was born in San Benito, TX on December 13, 1950, the daughter of Eleuterio and Helen Lerma. She married Ronald Lilly on October 12, 1996 in Sterling. Mrs. Lilly was a member of City of God in Rock Falls. She is survived by...

Jan 6, 2014

STERLING- Carol Ann Hubbs, 75, of Sterling, died Monday, January 6, 2014, at First People's Hospital in Shanghai, China, having traveled there to attend a nephew's wedding. She was a teacher and a teacher's aide in the Sterling School District before retiring. Carol was born March 18, 1938, in Clinton, IA, the daughter of Arnold and Marietta (Bienlein) Dierks....

Dec 24, 2013

JOHN E. HEY STERLING- John E. Hey, 86, of Sterling, died Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at Sterling Pavilion. He was owner of Hey's Refrigeration, prior to retirement. John was born December 29, 1926, the son of Ira V. and Carmal (Kindle) Hey. He served in the United States Navy. He married Dolores Weigle on September 28, 1947 in Sterling...

Dec 19, 2013

Dec 4, 2013

CADET T. THORP STERLING-Cadet T. Thorp, 73, died Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at CGH Medical Center. He had a milk hauling business in the Tampico area, prior to serving as the Chief of Police in Sterling for twenty-two years. Cadet was born August 2, 1940 in Streator, the son of Harold T. and Hilda T.A. Thorp. He married Carman...

Dec 2, 2013

Charles "Chuck" Funderberg, 84, of Dixon, died, Monday, December 2, 2013 at Amboy Rehabilitation Center. Today we celebrate the life of Charles "Chuck" Funderberg. He went home to be with his wife, Edith "Polly" Funderberg on December 2, 2013. He lived as a beloved son, brother, husband, uncle, father, "PA", teacher, coach and pastor of Zion Full Gospel Church...

Dec 1, 2013

CALLIE LOUISE LEE STERLING- Callie Louise Lee, 91, of Sterling, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2013 at Serenity Hospice and Home, Oregon. Callie was born August 27, 1922 in Murphysboro, the daughter of James and Pearl (Logan) Steele. She graduated from Pinckneyville High School where she was the state speech champion. She married Robert June Lee on March 22,...

Nov 30, 2013

WONDER LAKE-Mr. Gerald "Jerry" A. Draffkorn, Sr., 74, died Tuesday evening July 2, 2013 at The Springs in Crystal Lake surrounded by his family. Gerald A. Draffkorn was born January 2, 1939 in Chicago, the son of Frank and Marian Quall Draffkorn. He married Susan Sullivan on August 8, 1982 in Wonder Lake. Jerry served in the U.S.Army. Jerry...

Nov 26, 2013

CELIA CHAVEZ VASQUEZ ROCK FALLS- Celia Chavez Vasquez, of Rock Falls, died Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at Rock Falls Civic Plaza. She worked in the cafeterias of Mexican Public Schools. Celia was born December 27, 1932 in Mexico City. The daughter of Rufio and Julia (Vasquez) Chavez. She married Nicholas Sanchez in 1951 in Mexico City. He preceded her...